Even if your business is new or your knowledge is limited, you know enough to ask, “Why is SEO important?” and you know that SEO helps customers find you online. But really, there’s much more to it than that. Let’s look at a few of the biggest reasons SEO is important for your business.
Organic Search
No matter what else you’re doing, organic search is-and should be the primary source of your site’s traffic.
Organic search happens when someone searches for something in their browser. If your business shows up on Google’s first page for certain keywords, like “widgets for dogs,” then people who are actually looking to buy them will find you easily. This ensures your site gets visited by people who are actually looking to buy what you offer.
Organic search is one of the crucial elements in your buyer funnel, which grabs potential buyers and leads them, ultimately, to conversion or sale. Well-designed SEO is the only way to ensure organic search is working for you.
Locals Are Looking
Online business is global, but it’s also intensely local. There are thousands of locals looking for widgets for dogs in your area. Localized SEO that pinpoints not only what you do but where you’re located is the best way to ensure those widget shoppers can find you, and this is one of the main reasons why SEO is so important. Even if most of your business isn’t done online, your website simply must be optimized for local search.
And don’t forget reviews. Customer reviews from Google and other sites such as Home Advisor, Angie’s List or Yelp are all part of a strong SEO profile.
It’s Cost Effective
As with other important things (think car repairs, plumbing or surgery), getting professional help is your best bet. While implementing best-practice SEO will cost you money, it’s actually one of the cheaper forms of marketing, especially when you consider the return on investment (you’ll get much better close rates from SEO than things like printed ads).
Think of SEO as an investment in your business, just like buying a computer or hanging a sign. Properly done, SEO will bring benefits for years to come, even becoming more effective the longer it’s in place.
Visibility & Trust
Done right, SEO will have you showing up high in the ranks of Google and other search engines. It usually takes several impressions for a shopper to remember your brand, let alone come back to buy something. SEO brings visibility and credibility, helping you build the trust required to close a sale.
Measurability
The best way to eliminate wasted spending is to use marketing methods you can measure. Measurement helps you see which tactics are working and which ones aren’t, so you can use your budget on methods that are bringing results.
SEO is one of the most measurement-friendly tactics you can use. Google Analytics or other analytics packages can easily show you your traffic and how it relates to organic search. Plus, you’ll be able to see what keywords are bringing you the most traffic, helping you identify where you should put your resources.
Now that you know why SEO is important, make sure you get the right partner to help you put best practices in place. Contact Windriver Marketing today to see how we can help.
